The Cleveland Guardians edged the Tampa Bay Rays 3-2 on Thursday to secure Game 3 of the American League Championship Series (ALCS) and take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.

With Game 4 approaching, Cleveland has put itself in a strong position. Historically, teams that take a 2-1 lead in either League Championship Series have advanced to the World Series 70.3% of the time.

The Guardians have previously held a 2-1 ALCS advantage on three occasions, in 1997, 1998 and 2007. They lost the series in two of those years, with their only success coming in 1997, when they defeated the Baltimore Orioles in six games.

Meanwhile, the Rays are facing their first 2-1 deficit in an ALCS. Their most recent 2-1 postseason series deficit came in the 2021 American League Division Series against the Boston Red Sox, which Tampa Bay ultimately lost in four games.

Guardians and Rays trade blows in Game 3

Gavin Williams got the start for Cleveland and made an impressive opening, retiring the side in order in the first inning with a pop-up and two consecutive strikeouts. He continued his strong performance by retiring the next six batters he faced across the second and third innings.

Jose Ramirez became Cleveland’s first baserunner after drawing a walk, but Rays catcher Liam Hicks caught him attempting to steal second. Starting pitcher Griffin Jax then forced Chase DeLauter into a groundout to end the threat.

The Guardians broke the deadlock in the following inning. Nathaniel Lowe delivered an RBI double to right field, allowing Jo Adell to race home from first base and give Cleveland a 1-0 advantage.

The hit marked Lowe’s fourth RBI of the postseason and his third of the series. He also bounced back after going hitless in four at-bats during Cleveland’s Game 2 defeat.

Williams encountered his first significant trouble in the top of the fourth. A double from Yandy Diaz, followed by a two-out walk to Victor Mesa Jr., put runners on first and second.

The Rays capitalised on the opportunity when Chandler Simpson drove a two-run triple down the first-base line, turning the game around and giving Tampa Bay a 2-1 lead.

However, Cleveland responded in the bottom of the fifth. Petey Halpin launched a two-run home run to put the Guardians back in front at 3-2, sending the home crowd into celebration.

It was Halpin’s first career postseason home run and his fourth hit of the playoffs, including his second of the series.

Jax’s outing ended shortly afterwards when he allowed a single to Brayan Rocchio. The Rays starter finished with three earned runs allowed on five hits and two walks, recording two strikeouts over 67 pitches, including 39 strikes.

Tyler Wells came out of the bullpen to finish the fifth inning and limit further damage. Hicks then recorded another impressive throw to second base, catching Rocchio attempting to steal.

Williams shines before Cleveland turns to its bullpen

Despite Williams throwing just 70 pitches, Guardians manager Stephen Vogt decided to remove the right-hander after five innings.

Williams finished his outing having allowed two runs on two hits and one walk while striking out nine Rays hitters.

Reliever Daniel Espino took over and immediately retired Tampa Bay in order, ending the inning by striking out Junior Caminero for his third strikeout of the game at that stage.

Wells continued to keep Cleveland’s offence quiet, striking out all three Guardians hitters in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Cleveland answered with a scoreless inning of its own through Erik Sabrowski, who retired the Rays in order.

The tension increased in the top of the eighth when Cade Smith entered with two outs already recorded and Jorge Mateo standing on third base as the potential tying run. With Diaz at the plate, Smith delivered under pressure, striking him out after a 10-pitch battle to preserve Cleveland’s narrow lead.

Guardians bullpen seals crucial victory

Tampa Bay’s relievers also produced an impressive performance. After Wells delivered two scoreless innings, Steven Matz, who had not pitched since September 26, followed with two hitless innings without issuing a walk.

Nevertheless, the Rays could not find the equaliser.

Smith returned to retire Tampa Bay in order, completing a four-out save and securing the Guardians’ 3-2 victory.

Cleveland’s bullpen was particularly effective down the stretch, retiring 15 of the final 16 Rays batters to protect the one-run advantage.

The result gives the Guardians a 2-1 lead in the ALCS, putting them one step closer to the World Series.

Game 4 between the Guardians and Rays is scheduled for Friday, October 16, in Cleveland, with Tampa Bay looking to level the series and Cleveland aiming to move within one win of advancing.